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Guard tells of finding Nelli in street after fall from Cape Town hotel

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A security guard who was first on the scene where Anele ’Nelli’ Tembe, the fiancée of SA rap star AKA, fell from the 10th floor penthouse of the Pepperclub Hotel has described the harrowing discovery.

Rapper AKA and fiancée Anele “Nelli” Tembe. Picture: African News Agency (ANA)

Cape Town – A SECURITY guard who was first on the scene where Anele “Nelli” Tembe, the fiancée of SA rap star AKA, fell from the 10th floor penthouse of the Pepperclub Hotel has described the harrowing discovery.

The security guard said that at around 7.30am on Sunday he heard someone scream and then a loud thud.

“I thought it was a car crash and we went to look and at first we didn’t see anything, and then someone shouted that there was someone lying on the street,” said the guard who asked to remain anonymous.

“We went closer and saw a naked young woman, she was still breathing at that time.”

Netcare 911 spokesperson Shawn Herbst said paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after 8am and that reports from the scene indicated that a 22-year-old female had allegedly jumped from the 10th floor, landing on the road below.

“Medics assessed the patient who had sustained critical injuries and was treated on scene by an advanced life support paramedic. While stabilising the patient her condition rapidly deteriorated and she was sadly declared deceased on the scene,” Herbst said.

In a statement on Sunday the family of Nelli and AKA, real name Kiernan Forbes, said the rapper was inconsolable and was surrounded by family and closest friends.

“It is with the deepest regret that we, the Tembe and Forbes families, confirm the untimely passing of our beloved fiancée, daughter, sister and daughter-in-law, Anele Tembe (22). Anele tragically passed on in the early hours of this morning, Sunday, April 11, 2021,“ the statement said.

“We are still in shock and are dealing with our emotions, as she was an exceptional and gifted young woman, with so much life ahead of her. She had a sweet nature about her and was always nurturing to those around her. Her fiancé, Kiernan Forbes, is currently inconsolable and is surrounded by family and closest friends. At this hour of our grief, we humbly request that our families be given privacy and time to heal.“

The pair, who had been dating for just over a year, got engaged in February and two weeks ago celebrated successful lobola negotiations.

The Fela in Versace hitmaker had reportedly performed at a Cape Town club on Saturday night.

He updated his Instagram with videos and pictures of their Saturday afternoon and evening in Cape Town, where they were shopping and dining, and his last post of Nelli was around 1am on Sunday where they were enjoying themselves in a nightclub.

Police are investigating the matter with crime-scene experts looking for clues at the hotel.

SAPS spokesperson FC van Wyk said on Sunday: “Cape Town Central police are investigating an inquest case after an incident at a hotel this morning at about 07:45 on the corners of Loop and Bloem Street, Cape Town CBD where the body of a 22-year-old woman was found deceased.”

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